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The Power of Fluoride

Fluoride is one of the most important tools in the fight against cavities. It’s a natural mineral with super powers to protect and strengthen teeth.

What do I need to know about fluoride?

  • Acid, plaque and germs take minerals away from your teeth every day. Fluoride replaces minerals and reduces tooth decay
  • For permanent teeth, fluoride helps rebuild weak teeth and reverses early signs of damage
  • In children under the age of 8, fluoride can strengthen permanent teeth even before they come in
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adding fluoride to water is one of the 10 great public health achievements in the U.S.

Where is fluoride found?

Just as Vitamin D is added to milk, fluoride is added to the drinking water in many cities and towns.

  • 65 years of studies show that fluoride is safe
  • Bottled water usually does not have fluoride, and refrigerator filters may eliminate fluoride
  • Adding fluoride to water has reduced cavities in children and adults by at least 25%, even in people who use fluoride toothpaste

At home, fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash provide a coating for teeth.

  • Children need to use a small amount of toothpaste, and children younger than 6 years old should not use mouthwash unless advised by a dentist
  • Children should be supervised by an adult when brushing teeth to ensure they are brushing correctly and spitting out the toothpaste
  • Brushing twice a day, small children need to use only a limited amount of toothpaste – for children under the age of 2, use a very small amount, about the size of a grain of rice; for children between the ages of 2 and 5, a pea-sized amount is needed

Fluoride treatments can be provided by your child’s dentist. These may be needed for:

  • Kids between the age of 6 months and 16 years
  • Patients with dental conditions
  • Those who are prone to cavities
  • Patients with genetic conditions
  • Kids who wear braces

Learn more

It’s never too early to begin a lifetime of good dental health.

Find a dentist

Finding a dentist for your child is easy. Just visit floridabluedental.com/members/find-a-dentist.